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Don’t Push Pause is a monthly podcast bringing you discussions on movies from the 70s, 80s and 90s. DPP consists of a main discussion on a featured film, followed up by our Picks of the Week, and closing with our signature (Bill) Murray Moment.
Episodes
Monday Jul 01, 2019
Monday Jul 01, 2019
NEW JACK CITY (1991) raised the stakes for gangster films and put a spotlight on the rise of crack in inner cities. Cutting edge and concise, this film is a fast-paced crime thriller that is still relevant almost 30 years after its release.
▶️ (02:07) When a high-time crime lord rises to power and introduces crack to the surrounding city, a few rouge cops vow to take down the gangster-led drug ring destroying their community.
Discussions include: The real-life inspiration behind NEW JACK CITY, how a first-time director, authentic actors and crisp storytelling came together for a truly larger-than-life movie, the film’s strong attitude towards drugs and gang life, resulting in an awareness of a powerful moral voice. Breakout roles for the cast will be discussed, as well as a NEW JACK CITY comparison to SCARFACE (1983) — breaking down the main characters, drug usage and the music in both films. *Starring Wesley Snipes, Allen Payne, Ice-T, Chris Rock, Mario Van Peebles, Judd Nelson, Bill Cobbs. Directed by Mario Van Peebles.*
▶️ (37:20) **PICKS OF THE WEEK**
Lindsay’s Pick — DEMOLITION MAN (1993): After being cryogenically frozen in 1996, a 20th century criminal mastermind and risk-taking cop are reanimated only to find a very controlled society within a crime-free world and inept police force in this satirical, dystopian popcorn flick. *Starring Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Sandra Bullock, Benjamin Bratt, Denis Leary, Bill Cobbs. Directed by Marco Brambilla.*
Justin’s Pick — BAADASSSSS! (2003):
In this behind-the-scenes, unapologetic, brash docudrama, Mario Van Peebles portrays his father, Melvin Van Peebles, during the fascinating and challenging production of his father’s film, SWEET SWEETBACK’S BAADASSSSS SONG (1971). *Starring: Mario Van Peebles, David Alan Grier Nia Long, Rainn Wilson, Terry Crews. Directed by: Mario Van Peebles.*
▶️ (53:12) MURRAYMOMENT:
One difficult period in Billy’s life was the death of his friend, John Belushi. In this MurrayMoment, we’ll dive into Billy’s feelings about John’s drug addiction and how he was able to forever eulogize him in THE RAZOR’S EDGE (1984).
▶️ NEXT UP: RE-ANIMATOR (1985)!!
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Monday Jun 17, 2019
Monday Jun 17, 2019
As this is LGBTQ Pride month, here’s our contribution to the cause! Taking you back to 2000 for the bold, game-changing, positively-charged romantic satire that advanced queer cinema, BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER.
▶️ (02:40) After she’s accused of being a lesbian, a naive high school cheerleader is sent to a reprogramming boot camp for LGBTQ youths. However, intentions backfire when she begins to better understand herself and fall in love with a fellow female camper.
Discussions include: the film’s placement in American culture and queer cinema history, usage of sexuality and gender stereotypes, the satirization of true-life struggles, the MPAA’s treatment of the film’s content, misconceptions about the film’s inspiration, the cast, director and interconnectedness in subsequent years. And why the casting of legends Mink Stole and Bud Cort? We have our theories.
*Starring Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, Cathy Moriarty, RuPaul Charles; Directed by Jamie Babbit.
▶️ (38:50) PICKS OF THE WEEK.
Justin’s Pick — MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO (1991):A gorgeous, poetic tale about two 20-something, male hustlers forever living in transit. This is a journey of self-realization and discovering a romantic relationship along the way.
*Starring River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves; Directed by Gus Van Sant.
Lindsay’s Pick — ALL OVER ME (1997): Submerged in a gritty, ‘90s teen world of drugs, body dysmorphia and homophobia, two friends’ worlds are forever changed after a sexual awakening and murderous hate crime.
*Starring Alison Folland, Tara Subkoff, Leisha Hailey, Wilson Cruz; Directed by Alex Sichel.
▶️ (54:50) MURRAYMOMENT:
Do Billy and classic Hollywood film star Cary Grant have some type of connection? We’ve got your answer right here!
▶️ (01:02:30) FINAL THOUGHTS:
Check out BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER’s soundtrack, featuring Dressy Bessy, RuPaul and loads of other quirky tunes.
▶️ NEXT EPISODE: NEW JACK CITY (1991)! Please rate us, review us, follow us, “like” our social media pages, drop us a line, let us know you’re listening! We are grateful for your support!
Monday Jun 03, 2019
Monday Jun 03, 2019
SEASON TWO HAS LANDED! And there’s no better way to celebrate than with punk music and cult movies colliding in REPO MAN (1984)!
▶️(00:03:57) After a floundering punk kid turns into a Los Angeles repo man, he becomes one of many trying to track down a car worth a ton of cash, but also contains decomposing, radioactive extraterrestrials in the trunk. Starring Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton.
Discussions include: punk culture in cinema, importance of casting, cinemaphotography, the story’s genre-blending origin, combining familiar pulp tropes with a fresh plot, the film’s influence and finale and the odd authenticity coming from first-time film director, Alex Cox.
▶️(00:53:56) PICKS OF THE WEEK: Justin goes for his favorite Stanton film, PARIS, TEXAS (1984) — After missing for many years, a man with a troubled soul wanders out of the desert and now must reconnect with his family. Lindsay churns up even more emotions for DANCER IN THE DARK (2000) — When a daydreaming, single mom with a rapidly degenerative eye condition tries to help her son, a close friend steals her savings, which spirals into the worst situation fathomable.
Both films are connected to REPO MAN by way of cinemaphotographer, Robby Müller.
▶️(01:09:56) MURRAYMOMENT: Before Billy and Repo Man’s theme song punker, Iggy Pop, appeared in Jim Jarmusch’s THE DEAD DON’T DIE (which hits theaters June 14th), both iconic fellas appeared in Jarmusch’s film, COFFEE AND CIGARETTES (2003). Yup, we’re takin’ a trip back for another Billy bit role not to be missed!
▶️(01:17:14) FINAL THOUGHTS: REPO MAN’s on-set conflicts between Cox and Stanton, and a loving mention of LUCKY (2017), Stanton’s final performance before his death.
“It’s all part of a cosmic unconsciousness...People get so hung up on specifics they miss out on seeing the whole thing.”
▶️NEXT UP: BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER (1999)!
Please rate us, review us, follow us, “like” our social media pages, drop us a line, let us know you’re listening! We appreciate all your support!